 |
| Pocholo Gonzales a Native of Mariveles, Bataan receiving the award for the Best Book on Professions by the National Development Board's National Book Award |
Every year since 1982, the National Book Development Board, in partnership with Manila Critics Circle, recognizes the best books written, designed and created through the National Book Awards. This year marks the 36thinstallment of the prestigious award, and the ceremony was held at the National Museum Auditorium in Ermita, Manila last December 2, 2017.
A total of 26 books in 26 different categories were awarded, under the Literary and Non-literary division. These 26 books were carefully reviewed, screened and selected by the prestigious Board of Judges out of 200 nominations for the year.
This year, the award for “Best Book on Professions” was awarded to the first voice acting book in the Philippines entitled “Gusto Kong Maging Voice Talent,” written by a pride of Mariveles, Pocholo “The VoiceMaster” Gonzales. His book was released in 2016 under PsiCom Publishing and was launched during the Manila International Book Fair that year.
In the book, Pocholo tells the story of his humble beginnings as a young boy who grew up with no television in a small house in Mariveles. With the radio as his only means of entertainment, Pocholo was enamored to the classic radio drama “Gabi ng Lagim.” It did not take long before he started (and enjoyed) imitating the character voices in the drama, which developed his passion and talent for voice acting.
At age 16, Pocholo bested over 10,000 applicants in a radio drama and singing contest in DZMM, which began his professional career as a voice artist. Little did Pocholo know that his simple dream of hearing his voice on the radio greeting his Nanay would lead to his big vision to
make the Philippines the center of voiceover excellence in Asia. Fast forward to 2005, he put up
his own voiceover services company, Creativoices Productions, and the first and most well-known voice acting school in the country, the Philippine Center for Voice Acting.
To date, the school has produced over 1,000 graduates, and hundreds of them are now making their name in the industry as dubbers, voiceover, hosts, broadcasters and public speakers.
Pocholo’s achievements have also been recognized internationally by the World Voices Organization, and when he became the only Asian panelist at the 2012 VoIce Over International Creative Experience (VOICE) Convention.
Pocholo’s book provides a roadmap to building a successful career in the voice acting industry. From tools and techniques to “act”; with the voice to building one’s own home studio, “Gusto Kong Maging Voice Talent” is truly a must-have for all voice artists, old and new alike.
“This book was inspired by the veterans in the industry who told me 22 years ago that I had no
place in the voice acting world”, Gonzales boldly claims.
In the book, he recalls the moments where he was rejected by senior dubbers and voice talents when he was beginning his career. “If not for them, I would not be inspired to open the first and most well-known voice acting school in the country, where thousands of dreamers have realized their dream of becoming voice artists”.
“I dedicate this book to all the Filipino voice artists who promote voice acting as an art, and not
just as a way to make money. With the right heartset, I believe that my vision of making the Philippines the center of voiceover excellence in Asia is not far from being a reality”.
Congratulations, Pocholo! Your fellow Bataeños are proud of you!
Post a Comment